Research
Over the past decade, the economic well-being of low-income children has returned to the same level as the early 1990s, a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds. According to the foundation's 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book (88 pages, PDF), the official child poverty rate — a conservative measure of economic hardship — increased some 18 percent from 2000 to 2009, which means the number of children living in poverty grew by 2.4 million during the decade. Read More.
IOM to Develop Youth Fitness Recommendations
In a new study, the IOM will develop recommendations for youth fitness measures based on a literature review conducted by the CDC on the relationship of youth fitness components, including cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance as well as select health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease risk factors, musculoskeletal health, diabetes, and obesity.
Testimony in May at a joint hearing of the Assembly Education and Health Committees provided strong evidence of the link between student health and academic achievement. Read More.
The 2010 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being is now available.
The Scorecard tracks 26 key, interrelated indicators of childrens's well-being for each of California's 58 counties. You can also see how counties compare across all 26 indicators of well-being. To see the Scorecard, click here. To help you get started, view How to Read the Scorecard. To watch a webinar, "Assessing Children's Needs Through Data," please visit Vimeo.com.
Measures Registry
There is now a searchable online Registry of almost 750 diet and physical activity measures relevant to childhood obesity research. The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research (NCCOR) is hosting a webinar will describe the features and functions of the Registry and explain how the Registry works to promote the consistent use of common measures and research methods across childhood obesity prevention and research. To read more about the Registry or sign up for the webinar on May 19, click here.
NEW STUDY SHOWS OBESITY COSTS U.S. $270 BILLION
A new study by the Society of Actuaries estimates that the economic cost in the United States of overweight and obesity combined is $270 billion: $198 billion due to obesity and $72 billion due to overweight. Researchers showed that the costs are due to medical expenses, excess mortality, and disability. The costs break down to $127 billion, $49 billion, and $115, respectively. Read the full report.
New study links teen sugar intake and risk of heart disease. Read more.
National Center for Health Statistics publishes brief on US obesity rates and socio-economic status in children and adolescents (2005-2008)
Mount Sinai research physicians raise the link between federal corn subsidies and childhood obesity
Presentations from Food Insecurity and Obesity Workshop Now Available.
A growing body of research shows that obesity and food insecurity co-exist.
At the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services, the Institute of Medicine held a workshop on “Understanding the Relationship between Food Insecurity and Obesity.” The workshop was held November 16-18, 2010 with the goal of exploring the relationship between food insecurity and obesity, reviewing current research, and determining what further research is needed. View presentations from the workshop here.
2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Overview. This survey provides national data (including CA) on risk behaviors including physical inactivity and unhealthy eating.
Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance Research Brief (pdf) summarizes the latest peer-reviewed research on the relationship between physical activity and academic performance among children and adolescents. (RWJF, Summer 2009)
Nutrition Education and Promotion: The Role of FNS in Helping Low-Income Families Make Healthier Eating and Lifestyle Choices, A Report to Congress, March 2010
The Economics of Childhood Obesity (Health Affairs, 2010)
California Report Card 2011-12, Setting the Agenda for Children
Parent Attitudinal Survey, KRC Research, Prepared for Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance, 2007. (RWJF Active Living Research)
The Role of Sound Nutrition and Physical Activity in Academic Achievement, 2004.
Successful Students through Healthy Foods and Fitness Policies; Student Wellness: A Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy Resource Guide (CSBA and CA Project LEAN)
Child Nutrition Policy Brief, Nutrition for Learning, Food Research Action Center
